Date:         Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:01:59 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: alternator light staying on til high revs
Comments: To: Gregor Brandt <gbrandt@MARIONETTE.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <49507.68.144.60.172.1162827632.squirrel@s0106000d93648bd0.wp.shawcable.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Something's not right.  I installed an aux battery in my '85 1.9 using
the existing fridge relay and there was no change to the normal 1,200
rpm needed to excite the alternator.

You don't say what year you have but the '86 and newer vans have heaver
gauge wire for the charging circuit than the older ones.

I opened up the black box (junction box) on the forward driver's side
firewall and found corrosion and evidence of overheating at the ring
connector for the wires from the alternator. I cleaned up that
connection and soldered it and added 2 10ga wires from the alternator
directly to the terminal on the starter rather than running additional
wires to the black box and then to the starter.  My charging circuit is
much happier now even though the rpm required to start the alternator
remained unchanged.

Mike


Gregor Brandt wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> My alternator was staying on after starting the van, usually until I
> rev'ed up to about 1200 RPM.   I installed a second battery and now the
> alternator light stays on until about 2700 RPM.
>
> I suspect this is not normal....is my alternator on the way out?  New
> bushings?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Gregor
>